Well pumping device



May 14, 1940.

RQA. WILSON ET AL WELL PUMPING DEVICE Filed NOV. 24, 1956 2. mmm. www M @M WM wwmf@ A@ RR E ww W H m aff? JAL vwl M 5 www NN z a/ 0o 7 0 7 4M /0/ oa 5 vices.

Patented May 14, 1940 n UNITED STATES WELL Pomme DEVICE Robert Alexander Wilson and Roy Alvah mith, Dallas, Tex., assignors to Kibele Manufa turing Company, Dallas, Tex.,

a corporation of/jllexas Application November 24, 1936, Serial No. 112,444

8 Claims.

I'he invention relates to devices for lifting liquids from wells and' has particular yreference to the construction and operation of combined stages of mechanical uid lift and air lift de-c 'I'he centrifugal type of .pump for pumping oil from wells has certain advantages. However, in the production of oil from deep wells this type of pump has certain limitations since its efm ilciency drops rapidly when a certain limited l0 with this combination each head is exceeded. The primary object of the invention is to provide mea-ns for pumping oil from deep wells by a combination and arrangement of centrifugal pumping means and air lift means whereby a centrifugal pump will lift theoil in the well4 through a distance for which such pump operates emciently and where an air lift will supplement the centrifugal pump to'eifectively liftD the oil vthe remaining distance to the surface. pumping unit may be made to operate effectively within a range of high efficiency and a high over-all eiliciency may be obtained.

Another object is to provide a pumping sysu tem in which the fluid is pumped from the lower levels of awell through a flow tube and thence flows into the well casing for air lifting in the upper levels of the well.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a packer connection between the mechanical and the air lift stages of pumping, in which connection the mechanically pumped fluid is introduced into the well casing at a level above th'e level of introduction of the pumping fluid.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a pumping device wherein a frangible barrier is provided at the junction of the pumping stages whereby the barrier may be destroyed to admit introduction of a Ijunction.

Otherl objects, together with the foregoing, will be apparent as recitedA in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which:

\ Flg. 1 is a sectional view showing the positions occupied by the parts of the-device of the invention when installed in a well, section being taken on the line I-I of Fig. 3.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal 'section of the device Y taken at right angles to the section of Fig. 1.

wire line tool below such Fig. 3 is aY transverse section of the device of `the invention taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an assembly view partly in section showing the complete apparatus in the well.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing wherein like numerals of reference designate similar parts in each of the figures the numeral I designates the well casing in which is placed the device of .the invention. Reference is particularly directed to Fig. 4 in which vthe device of the invention is illustrated as a complete as' sembly installed in a well. The well casing is provided with a casing head which is generally designated as I3. I'his casing head is of usual construction except that it is provided with an opening having agland 42 through which passes an electric cable 4I, which cable carries electrical energy into. the well to drive the centrifugal pump I2. Fluid is carried upward from pump I2 through ilow pipe 5 to a connector 3 above a packer 4 which seals the annular space between the casing I and the tube 5.

The connector generally designated as 3 is herein referred to as a stage connector in that it serves as the junction between pumping stages as will be made apparent as the description proceeds. Stage connector 3 is so constructed and arranged that the fluid pumped upwardly through ilow pipe 5 is admitted to the annular space within casing I' above packer 4.

Extending downwardly from the surface to the stage connector' 3 is a tubular member 39 which the pumping uid is likewise admittedto the annular space within the casing I and above the packer 4.

By referring to Figs. 1 to 3 it will be seen that within the casing I is flow tube 5 whichis attached to a packer tube 1. Between the packer tube 'I and the casing I is provided a packer generally designated as 4, the purpose of which is to seal the annular space about the tube. The packer tube 1 is in turn attached to the stage connector 3. The entire assembly thus generally described is supported from the top of the well through tube pointed out, serves also to supply pumping uid to the oil that is discharged into the casing above packer 4.

The flow pipe 5 carries fluid upwardly from the pumping means I2. To this flow pipe is attached packer unit 4 which includes packer tube 1 which is directly connected to pipe 5 to pro- 39 which, as has already been vide a bore 6 for continuous flowof pumping 1;

to member 1 is a collar 8 which supports a flanged ring 9, the flanges of which taper inwardly from their edges as shown at I 0. Within ring ,9 is positioned a packing ring I5, preferably of rubber. 'I'his ring is expanded into sealing position by a collar I6 which is positioned on the tube. member 'I coaxially with'the packing ring I5. A-second anged ring I ring 9 is mounted upon collar I6 and is provided with a second packing ring I9. Collar I9 is tioned within packing ring I8.

Stage connector 3 is threadably secured to packer tube 'I at II and through this connection serves the dual function of connecting the elements of the pumping stages and also applying pressure to the packer members mounted A upon collar 8.

The stage connector 3 is of particular construction and is essentially an enlargement'in the tubular construction leading upwardly from the pump I2. 'I'he central bore 6 is provided with' threads II and I4 in order that the connector may be lthreadably connected in the string of tubing in the well. Within the borec and in the connector 3 is provided a shoulder 25 and adjacent threads 26. A disc 21 of frangible material is positioned within the shoulder 25 and is held securely in place by ring 28 which is-screwed into the threads 26. This frangible ring serves as the barrier against continued upward ow of oil in the bore 6 and is made, of frangible material in order that it may be broken by impact to admit -a wire the well, as is well known in the art.v

A plurality of openings 30 in the wall of the bore 6 below disc 2 1 lead obliquely upwardly through a passage 3I to the annular space surrounding connector 3. In a similar manner a plurality of openings 32 in the walls of the bore 6 above disc 2'I lead obliquely downwardly through a passage 33 to the annular space surrounding the connector 3. The openings of theseseries are in circumferentially spaced relation, hence leaving metal ns 22 between passages 3| and 33.

It is to be noted that, asclearlyshown in Fig. 3, the respective passageways 3| and 33 are not symmetrically spaced aboutbore 5. This minor lack of symmetry is made necessary through .a longitudinal groove in which is positioned an electric cable 4I. T'his cable comprises insulated wires 42 to carry electrical energy from the surface to the pump I2 submerged in the uid in the Well. The cable 4I passes through a suitable opening in the respective elements of the packer 4, adequate sealing therebetween being provided.

The gas or air inlet tached to the upper end of the stage connector unit described and serves to support` the unit" and -introduce pumping fluid for the air lift stage. An important feature of the invention is the automatic setting of the packer in the casing I. ThisA automatic setting takes place byvirtue of the fact that when gas is applied the packer automatically expands to effect a seal with the casing. On the other hand, when the pressure is discontinued the packer releases and permits withdrawal thereof from the Welll casing. It should be also noted that the packer eliminates threading ofthe cable through the inside of the tubing thus leaving the bore of string of pipe open, except for frangible disc 2'l,.and hence it is possible to insert fishing tools in case of parting of the tubing.

The operation of the device is as'follows: Fluid 'I which is similar to posiline tool to the lower levels of 2,200.943 viiuid therethrough. Mounted upon and-secured is pumped upwardly wellby means of an pipe`5. 36 into casing I 4is pumped downwardly passageway 33. From th from the lower levels ofthe electric pump through ow This fluid is discharged through openings At the same time a gaseous fluid -through pipe' 39 and e construction described it is apparent that this pumping fluid enters the annular space in the below that at which the enters the same annular space.

well bore at a level slightly oil from the flow tube 5 This feature is of -importance for not onlydoes the oil disch'argingfrom 'openings 36 possess an upward velocity but also the pumping uid is introduced into the oil from beneath whereby turbulence is minimized Land considerable locity head is conserved.-

In the preferred embod energy of the vei'ment disclosed for puri poses of illustration an electrically driven pump I2 has been provided. It is understood that the d thereto because its is apparent that a reciprocating type of pump may be used. 'I'he sucker rod insuch case passes linvention is not confine through a suitable seal i is also apparent that fo of pumping a suitable iiuid actuated be employed to lift i levels of the well.

n franglble disc 2l. It

r the mechanical stage The drawing and description present what is now considered to be a preferred form of the invention by way of illustration only while the' broad principle is accomplished by the means defined by the appended claims.

The invention claimed Ways from the bore below rier .outwardly into the well a packer between vthe-bore of said tubing tubing having passageand above said barcasing whereby uid from said pumping mechanism is delivered into the casing above the packer introduced into the tubing the pumped fluid upwardly from the packer.

combination a tubing within the well, pumping mechanism secured to 2. In a well pump in the lower end of said tubing liquid upwardly therein tubing to seal the space the well bore, a barrier in above said packer, saidf extending upwardly barrierfto the annular s and other passages 7the bore above said said packer.

comprising a tubular downwardly into the well,

the lower end thereof,.-a said tubular line at the lo tending -downwardly into having radial upwardly ljacent its upper end, a

and adapted to pump a packer: labout said between the tubing and the bore of said tubing tubing having passages from the bore below said pacev above said packer extending downwardly froml barrier to the space above 3. Apparatus for removing fluid from wells pressure line extending pump may the fluid through the lower 1. In a well pump in combination a well casing,

a centrifugal pump secured to said tubing,

tubing l.above said pumping and a pumping uid above said barrier lifts said tubular line having radial downwardly extending passages adjacent flow tube connected to wer end thereof and exthe well, said owtube extending passages adbarrier between the inner termini of said upwardly and said downwardly extending passages a member having a shoulder frangible disc and means positioned in said bore ag pump at the lower end of said flow tube for pumping uid therethrough flow tube below the open- .comprising a tubular .Y

in the bore thereof, `a

ainsi'. Said Shoulder, Sd

for holding said disc' tubular member having passages extending upwardly and outwardly from the bore below said frangible disc land other passages extending downwardly and `outwardly from the bore above said disc.

5. A pump including a well casing, a casing head thereon, a tubing supported in said casing, a packer on said tubing intermediate its ends, an electrically operated centrifugal pump on said tubing below said packer, a barrier in the tubing above the packer, said tubing having radial passages diagonally upwardly and downwardly from below and above said barrier, respectively, and an electric cable extending downwardly between the casing and tubing tok said pump, and sealably passing through said packer.

6. In combination, a well casing, tubing within said casing, an electrically driven centrifugal pump secured lto the lower end of said tubing to elevate fluid within the tubing, an electric cable passing downwardly within said casing to said pump, a packer between the tubing and casing sealing the annular space therebetween above the pump and forming a seal about said cable,-a barrier. in said tubing above said packer, and openings in the tubing above and below the barrier so that a lifting fluid may be introduced into the liquid exhausted into the casing through the openings below the barrier and above the packer.

'7. In a device for lifting liquid in wells, the combination of pump means positioned within the well bore for reducing the static head of' liquid to reduce the pressure exerted -on the producing formation by discharging the liquid upwardly therefrom, a ow tube extending upwardly from the pump. means, said tube having openings at a predetermined level so that the liquid may discharge outwardly intothe well bore about the tube, a packer surrounding the tube below said openings to form a seal with the well bore, and means for discharging a pressure uid from within the tube and below said openings for aerating the liquid column above the packer to reduce the static head of the discharged liquid and lift the liquid from the well. l

8. In a device of the class described the combination of a well casing, a flow tube within said well casing, an elastic packing surrounding the flow tube in the Well intermediate the ends thereof, power means for delivering liquid from the v lower end of said tube therethru to an elevation above saidvpacking in the casing, said packing being expansible under fluid pressureof the delivered liquid axially. of the flow tube to move the material of the packing into sealing engagement with the iiow tube and said well casing. support members mounted on thev flow tube to restrain the packing axially thereof, aligned openings in said packing and supportl members, and a cable to supply power for said rst means and extending longitudinally of the flow tube and passing thru said aligned openings and in sealed engagement with the packing material surrounding the openings when the packing is subjected to the pressure of the liquid above it.

ROBERT ALEXANDER WILSON.

ROY ALVAH SMITH.

from movement 

